Friends With Therapy Ch. 03

Friday was a breeze, and Lee had only one truck to work on before 2 pm. He announced his departure and smiled at Terry, avoiding his Ex wife’s longing gaze. Gina had sucked his cock three days in a row before she realized controlling her body was something he no longer wanted to do. She was bitter at learning he could no longer be under her mental control.

Lee wanted to tell someone about his progress but hesitated to mention it to Doctor Kendall. She would see him as the true sadist he was, and he would rather keep it to himself.

“How are those dating Apps going?” Dr. Kendall asked.

“Stagnant as of now, but I think I am ready to serial date.”

“Really?” Taylor smiled, “What brought about this new change?”

Her next patient, Mari, came to mind, and she awaited his confession. It never came as Lee switched the subject to something else. It had become hard to work independently with Lee, and she mentioned her newest idea.

“Mr. Lawarence, you and I have talked a lot these past few months. But, I feel you cannot speak with me about certain things.”

“I try to be as open and honest as possible, Doc. I know without communication, any sort of relationship will fail, including our talking.”

“I understand that, Mr. Lawrence. And our connection is awesome. You made such progress, but there is so much more to gain from additional treatment.”

“I need to come twice a week?”

Lee adjusted himself, feeling insecure about her recommendation. He thought he was making progress and not in need of more assistance.

“No,” Taylor chuckled, “You’re doing great. But I think you should seek another therapist, precisely a male therapist.”

Taylor shuffled through her notebook, landed on a card, and handed it to Lee.

“That is Dr. Ryan West. He’s a good friend of mine from college. He has a practice uptown. I would like for you to give him a call.”

“I am totally comfortable with you. I… I mean, I don’t mean to be forward, but I consider you a good friend.”

“Mr. Lawrence,” Taylor smiled, “Lee, you don’t seem comfortable talking openly about sexual matters or other ongoing relationships. And since you’re coming out of a rough marriage, it would be nice to communicate with you about your relationship issues. But I understand that conversation is more suited with men.”

Lee chuckled, “You’re breaking up with me, Doc?”

“This is not a breakup. This is an upgrade, Lee. You’ve graduated from my handle, and I am honored to put you in better hands.”

Lee nodded and scanned the card, “I’ll give him a call.”

Taylor was giddy and smiled. “He’s right up your alley. You two will get along well.”

“I appreciate everything, Doc. I really do.”

–

Mari hauled herself into the building and took a seat near the door. She was excited to see Lee and smiled when he opened the office door.

“Hey,” She beamed, wiggling in her seat with excitement, “What’s up, bestie?”

“Guess what?” Lee smiled.

Mari bit her bottom lip, “What?”

He pulled a gold-plated key from his pocket and presented it to her with a broad smile.

Mari creased her brows and chuckled, “What’s that for?”

“Nothing really, just this place on 118 Green-”

“Lee!” Mari stood wide-eyed, “Are you fucking kidding me!”

“No, ma’am. Terrence said he’s got to clean it up, and it will be about two weeks before you can move in.”

“Oh my god!” Mari jumped up and down and stopped to justify his purchase, “I can give you seven hundred today. I’ll have the rest, I swear.”

“Don’t sweat it. I know you are an honest girl.”

“Oh, my god, Oh my God!” Mari squealed, squeezing his waist.

“Congratulations, baby girl,” Lee bent down to brush his lips against her forehead just as Taylor exited her office.

“What is going on?” Taylor asked with a smile, folding her arms.

It could be anything she supposed and awaited one of them to explain.

“I uh, um, Lee was telling me about a place to rent, and I got it. So excited.”

“She’s growing up fast,” Lee chuckled.

Mari smiled, placing her hand on her heart, and glanced at Lee with sparkles of incoming tears threatening to fall.

“Thank you. Thank you so much,” Her voice cracked, and she longed to jump in his arms and pepper his face with kisses.

“It’s no problem at all.” Lee smiled, patting her shoulder, “Text me,” he whispered and stepped back.

“You ladies have a wonderful weekend.”

Taylor nodded and looked toward Mari, who still held a longing eye towards Mr. Lawrence. If she weren’t mistaken, she would say the girl was in love.

“Oh, oh, my God,” Mari breathed deeply before looking at Taylor.

“You’ve solved a lot of your difficulties there.” Taylor smiled.

Mari nodded and swiped at her eyes, “He did. He does.”

“Are you two involved?” Taylor asked the simple question that Mari would have been prepared for at any other time.

Mari’s lips trembled, but she shook her head, swiping her arm across her leaking eyes. After a few moments, she gathered herself enough to deny her claims.

“No, he’s my friend. And he’s just so kind like you said before.”

“He is.” Taylor nodded and smiled heartfeltly, “Come on in. We can talk more about him.”

After a few more daring questions, Mari caved, pouring her soul of all the heavy emotional baggage on her heart. Sobbing against Taylor’s shoulder, she explained not only the joy Lee had brought to her but the pain others had provided, not divulging Lee’s punishments. It was a lot all at once, but Mari focused on the problem Taylor could solve.

“If he isn’t ready for a relationship, Mari, you must respect that decision and his honesty. As you said, most guys you’ve dealt with have not been as open and honest.”

“But, he treats me, like….” It was on the tip of her tongue to say a Princess, but Mari grew frustrated and sharply eyed Taylor.

“I mean, come on, Taylor, like you know the answer.”

Mari looked toward her to spill private information, “What’s his issue, and how can I fix it.”

“Mari, it’s not that simple. And I can not do that. I could lose my job. But what I will tell you, and I would tell him, would be to go slow. Very slow. Both of you are hurt people, and hurt people sometimes hurt people.”

“Taylor, you’re the worst therapist ever.” Mari scoffed while Taylor gave a small chuckle at the insult.

“Professionals would say I am just doing my job, Mari. I want to talk about your father.”

“He’s an asshole, Next. Can you tell me if Lee at least talks about me?” Mari was holding her breath for the answer.

“Mari, relaxing would be helpful. You’re focused on someone who you just met a few months ago. Relationships and friendship are important, but we are here to discuss you and your life. So tell me about your father. You mentioned that he was abusing your mother.”

Mari swallowed the lump of tension and nodded her head. Lee had been a great distraction, but it was time to pull the gloves off. Trying to keep her eyes from watering, Mari explained her childhood trauma in a few words.

Taylor went in with questioning, and Mari then provided more information about her life. Details that she could have gone another decade without disclosing.

+

+

Mari took deep breaths as she began to turn onto Lee’s street. She noticed her friend Sasha’s car in her driveway and pulled in to buy herself time and clear her head. Emotions were something Mari wasn’t used to expressing, and after an hour and a half of unleashing baggage, she was feeling drained.

Mari wanted to see Lee but wasn’t sure she could handle a rough sex session with all the thoughts running through her mind. Some of her felt she owed him sex and couldn’t bail on their Friday night fling.

Sasha walked out with a smile seeing her little friend. Mari was almost a decade younger than her but reminded her of herself at that age. They had met at a mutual friend’s party a year ago. Sasha had thought the drunken girl was annoying and rude. But when a random guy began pushing up on Mari, building up to assaulting her, Sasha stepped in to protect the young woman. They grew in friendship, and she offered Mari a job at Applebees.

“Hey girl,” Sasha smiled, “What’s wrong?”

Mari smiled through the misery and told Sasha the excellent news.

“I am moving out of my aunt’s house. I got my own place now.”

“Aw, Congratulations. I am so proud of you.” Sasha declared, “But why do you look like your dog died? Your eyes are red. You aren’t on those pills again, are you? Al will need a drug test to hire you full-time.”

“No,” Mari said, “It has been weeks since, and I’ve hardly drank much.”

“That’s good, but why are you crying, sweetie?”

“I, um, It’s nothing. I am so excited to be moving out of that fucking prison.”

“You’ve been saving up, and it’s paid off. Quicker than I expected. So fucking proud of how far you’ve come, Mari. Seriously, babe, you were scaring me for a minute there.”

“I wasn’t that bad,” Mari chuckled, “I didn’t do it by myself though…. My friend helped me a lot. I guess I shed some tears of joy. From the help, and stuff. And you’ve helped me so much too….”

Mari swallowed to keep her eyes from watering and shook her head, “I’m so happy.”

“You want to come in? We can celebrate with some drinks,” Sasha offered, “I don’t have any of those wine coolers you like, but we can go get some.”

“No, I’ve got to go see my friend.”

“Uh-huh, a guy?”

“No, a girl, but she’s cool.”

Mari knew Sasha was supportive when it came to her life. Had she told Sasha that her friend was a guy, she would have asked questions. If she knew he was 40, Sasha would have freaked out. Protection was something Mari needed but seldom wanted, clouding her lifestyle.

“Well, have fun tonight, be careful, Mari. Seriously, don’t drink too much.”

“We aren’t drinking,” Mari chuckled, “She doesn’t even drink.”

“Sounds like a good girl and a good example for you. I’d love to meet her sometime.”

Mari smiled, biting her lip at the phrase ‘Good girl.’ She just couldn’t understand why she felt so strongly about Lee. She had never been one to fall for a guy after sex. If anything, most guys got attached to her after a shot of her bomb pussy.

Mari said her goodbyes to Sasha and drove five houses down. There sat Lee’s home. He had his door opened, but thankfully Gina wasn’t there. She knocked twice on the screen door and stepped back.